Using an on-line medium.... Update

Communication styles in an online network are pretty vital

About 18 months ago I wrote this article : Using an on-line medium for discussion – New game – New rules….. on Ecademy and some debates on Ecademy made me look at it again.

These thoughts fit in well with the thinking about readership styles discussed in this posting and these discussion issues affect both reading and writing styles.

The rules I discussed 18 months ago are as true now as they were then, the key rules I determined were...

Golden rule number 1 - Ask yourself "What would have to be true for this note to be a reasonable one"
Golden rule number 2 - Ask yourself "what could I be assuming here that would make me interpret this the way that I am"
Golden rule number 3 - Check the facts - reply using phrases like "Am I right to understand…." And "Did you know that ….." as a preamble to responding substantively (see the golden rule of golden rules below)
Golden Rule number 4 - Validate the emotions - use shortcuts in non formal writing to help convey the real emotion - emoticons are great, especially if the writing is "robust"
Golden rule number 5 - Does this persons language and culture match up to your own, is the base the same.
6. The first golden rule of golden rules - Always respond constructively.
7. The second golden rule of golden rules - Take a walk.

I'll discuss some more about writing for specific reading styles and the impact that can have on other reading styles soon.